Blue Jackets

Johansen’s side pitches 2-year deal

After weeks at loggerheads, contract talks between the Blue Jackets and center Ryan Johansen might finally be progressing.

Sources told The Dispatch yesterday that Johansen’s agent, Kurt Overhardt, made a recent proposal to the Blue Jackets that included a two-year contract term — the type of “bridge contract” that Johansen referred to as “a slap in the face” late last month.

The Blue Jackets have stood firm in offering Johansen only a two - or three-year deal, saying they want a player who remains motivated to be one of the elite players in the NHL.

With Johansen’s side now willing to sign a short-term contract, perhaps now they can focus on what is typically the biggest hurdle in any negotiation: money.

Previously, Overhardt had pitched a four-year offer to the Jackets.

“Ryan wants to be a Blue Jacket and he wants to be in Columbus,” said Overhardt, who declined to speak specifically about the negotiations. “That has never been an issue with any of this. He loves it there.

“And he was very excited to see the club wrap up Brandon Dubinsky with such a long-term contract (this month). That’s the kind of player he wants as a teammate, the kind of player he wants beside him.”

Dubinsky, whose agent also is Overhardt, signed a six-year, $35.1 million extension.

After little offensive production in his first two seasons, Johansen had a breakout season in 2013-14, scoring 33 goals and 63 points, tops on the club.

The Blue Jackets want to see him back that up before they sign him to a long-term deal like Dubinsky’s.

Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen and assistant GM Bill Zito were not available for comment last night.

John Davidson, the team’s president of hockey operations, said on the club’s website last week: “ We like Ryan Johansen, obviously. Who wouldn’t? But we’ve got to make sure. We have to be a responsible club regarding long-term contracts. If Ryan keeps the upward trend going, he going to have a long and very fruitful career. But we have to make sure we protect ourselves.”